I get the appeal of soldering, but honestly, push-fits have come a long way. If you're careful about prep—cleaning, deburring, and making sure pipes are seated fully—they can hold up just fine. Had a quick renovation job a couple years back and used push-fits behind drywall (I know, risky move...), but they're still going strong. Proper installation is key; shortcuts are what usually bite you later on. Just my two cents from experience.
Agree with you on prep being the difference-maker. Did you use a specific brand or just whatever was handy at the store? I've had mixed luck myself—some push-fits held great, others leaked no matter how careful I was. Maybe it's just my luck, haha. But yeah, soldering can be overkill for quick jobs. Glad yours is still holding strong behind drywall...that's always the nerve-wracking part, isn't it?
I've had similar experiences—push-fits can be hit or miss. Usually, SharkBite fittings have been pretty reliable for me, but even then, prep is key. Quick sanding, deburring, and making sure it's seated fully...makes all the difference. Still, nothing beats that nervous drywall check a week later, haha.
Haha, totally relate to that drywall anxiety. Last year, I redid our guest bath and decided to give SharkBite fittings a go. Prep was solid—sanded, deburred, checked twice—but I swear, for the first month every time I walked by the bathroom I'd pause and listen for drips...like some paranoid plumbing detective.
Funny thing is, after all that stressing, the only leak I've ever had was from a soldered joint my father-in-law insisted on doing "the old-school way." He still won't admit it was his fault though...just says it "settled funny." Sure thing, Bob. 😂
But yeah, SharkBites have been pretty good to me too. Just gotta do your homework and trust your prep work. And maybe have a bucket handy just in case.
I feel this drywall anxiety in my bones, haha. Last summer I replaced our sink faucet and decided to go SharkBite too—mostly because soldering seemed like a quick way to burn my house down (and my insurance probably wouldn't cover "DIY stupidity"). I triple-checked everything, but still spent the next two weeks randomly creeping under the sink at midnight with a flashlight, convinced I'd find a puddle.
Ironically, the only plumbing disaster I've had was courtesy of a "professional" plumber who cross-threaded a fitting and blamed it on "cheap hardware." Yeah right, buddy...my $15 SharkBite is still holding strong.
But yeah, buckets and towels nearby are always smart. Plumbing seems to sense overconfidence and punish accordingly.
